SWEDISH GOALIE BATTLE GOES RAMPAGE WAY

Karlsson makes 18 saves in Hogs debut

San Antonio, Tex.- A pair of 6-foot, 6-inch Swedish goalies dueled on pink ice in San Antonio on Friday night and unfortunately for the Rockford IceHogs, the only blemish on the score sheet showed up on their side.

San Antonio claimed a 1-0 win as Jacob Markstrom turned away all 30 Rockford shots to outlast his countryman Henrik Karlsson. Karlsson, making his IceHogs debut, made 18 saves in the loss.

San Antonio broke a scoreless tie midway through the third period after a Rockford icing. A point shot off the face off was blocked down, but Jared Gomes found John McFarland on the back door and the winger dumped in his first goal of the season at 10:09.

Rockford couldn't solve Markstrom the reset of the way and failed to convert on their two power play chances while holding the Rampage at bay on three power play attempts.

The first period on Friday night featured just a combined nine shots on goal between Rockford and San Antonio, a single period low on the season.

The second frame featured much of the same. San Antonio did pepper Karlsson with 10 shots on goal in the sandwich stanza, while Rockford fired eight in on Markstrom.

Next Home Game: Saturday, Feb. 9 vs. Houston Aeros. Game time is slated for 7:05 p.m. The first 2,000 fans to the game will pick up a Colin Fraser Bobblehands figurine courtesy of Gatorade, recognizing the first former IceHogs skater to win two Stanley Cups.